5 step guide to saving petrol

In this guide we aim to help you make smarter spending choices when it comes to refilling your car. Here are 5 steps you can take to save more pennies in your pocket.

Step 1: Consider Your Car

Hindsight is a great thing but it won’t help save money when you’re finding your beautiful motor is drinking petrol on every journey. The first step to saving money on fuel is considering the vehicle you’re buying based on your needs; you may want to think about these options if you’re wanting a car that won’t break the bank:

• Is it for long journeys or town driving?
• Do you have a long commute on a regular basis?
• What is your budget for petrol?
• Is this the only car in your household?

Answering these questions truthfully will allow you to see whether your dream car may actually turn into a financial nightmare.

Step 2: Car Care

Tyres: Ensure these are inflated to the right limit to improve efficiency and reduce drag on your car whilst driving. Check your handbook to see what this is for your make and model.

• Windows: Open windows can cause drag on the car which in turn uses more fuel
• Turn Down Air Con: However, when driving at lower speeds turn your air conditioning off and opt for the windows down instead as this will help reduce fuel consumption.
• Keep it Clean: This relates to the inside of your car. The more rubbish that’s built up or the volume of coats and umbrellas in case British weather lets us down can actually weigh your car down and mean larger fuel consumption.

Step 3: Evaluate Your Driving Style

The way you drive is one of the main ways you can save fuel. Taking on board these tips should see a significant increase in your savings:

• Use your Gears: If you drive a manual car then did you know that using your gears properly can actually help you to save money?  Drive in the highest gear you can without causing sluggish driving, as this will lessen overall fuel consumption.
• Read the Road: Whether it’s a journey you regularly take or you’re driving somewhere new, read the road to see whether you can use less fuel with better planning – traffic lights don’t move as regularly as you may think.
• Ease off the Brakes: Using the gears correctly as well as reading the road can allow you to slow down more naturally than the slamming on the pedals last minute.

Step 4: Shop Smarter

Many people fill up for convenience not for cost, but shopping around for your petrol, even in the same town, can actually make huge savings. Key Players for Costly Fuel:

• Service Stations: As convenient as they seem, service stations are renowned for being expensive for that exact reason so don’t make it a regular place for your fuel stop.

• Remote fuel pumps: Again, fuel stops that are in the middle on nowhere, or just before a long ‘A’ road mean you may not be getting the best price.

Step 5: Sign up to Loyalty Schemes

You may be aware of the Nectar or Club Card schemes run by Sainburys and Tesco, but did you know that there are other loyalty schemes such as Morisson’s Miles Card? Keep your eye out and if they help save you pennies in the long run, the micro-card may well just be worth the addition to your key ring.